Marilyn Burkhalter

Marilyn A. Burkhalter, 78, of Gothenburg, formerly of Elwood, Nebraska passed away on Wednesday, August 10, 2022 at Stone Hearth Estates in Gothenburg.

She was born on December 19, 1943, in Kearney, Nebraska to Gerald and A. Doris (Marshall) Elliott. The family made their home on a farm near Riverdale and in 1956 they moved to Lexington. She attended public schools in Lexington and graduated from Lexington High School with the class of 1962. She then went onto further education for a year at Kearney State College. Following her time at Kearney State, Marilyn worked at Dawson Public Power in Lexington.

In May of 1965, Marilyn met the love of her life at a District 15 School picnic and was united in marriage to Dale A. Burkhalter on June 5, 1966 at the First United Methodist Church in Lexington. Four children were blessed to this union: Phillip, David, Andrew and Sarah.

Marilyn focused her efforts on caring for the home and raising her children. In 1974, Dale and Marilyn bought a farm south of Elwood where they farmed and would reside until 2019 when they moved to Gothenburg. Marilyn also spent twenty-three years working at Elwood Care Center as a Dietary Cook. She retired in 2015 and Dale preceded her in death in 2019.

Marilyn was a faithful member of the Elwood United Methodist Church, where she was involved in many church activities and was one of the church pianist for many years. She was an active volunteer with the American Legion Women’s Auxiliary and enjoyed attending Nebraska Women and Ag. She had many hobbies which included her love for music, gardening, reading, puzzles, baking pies and watching old westerns. Marilyn was an animal lover, especially her chickens. She was meticulous when it came to her appearance and was always dressed to the nines.

Survivors include her children, Phillip (Sharilyn) Burkhalter of Johnson Lake, David (Fabienne) Burkhalter of Elsie, Andrew (Frances) Burkhalter of Scottsbluff and Sarah (Michael) Anderson of Gothenburg; eleven grandchildren and one great-grandson; one brother, Gale (Sharon) Elliott of Vail, Arizona; sisters-in-law, Lela Burkhalter of Creston, Iowa, Mary Louise Edwards of Greenwood, Arkansas, Phyllis Burkhalter of Creston, Iowa and Lucinda Burkhalter of Chariton, Iowa; brother-in-law, Harold Burkhalter of Steamboat Springs, Colorado; as well as aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Besides her parents, Marilyn was preceded in death by her husband, Dale; in-laws, Arthur (Merle) Burkhalter; brothers-in-law, Loren Burkhalter, Earl Burkhalter and Paul Edwards.

Funeral Services will be on Friday, August 12, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. at the Elwood Methodist Church with Pastor Sarah Neben, officiating.

Visitation will be held on Friday, August 12, 2022 from 9:30 a.m. until service time at the Elwood Methodist Church.

Interment will be at Fort McPherson National Cemetery in Maxwell, Nebraska at 2:00 p.m.

Memorials are kindly suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com

• Maiden Name: Elliot

Richard Darby

Richard E. Darby, 81, of Lincoln, Nebraska, formerly of Lexington, passed away on Friday, April 3, 2026, in Lincoln.

He was born on May 31, 1944, in Lexington, Nebraska to John and Ruth (Stuckey) Darby. Richard grew up a country boy three miles east of Lexington. He attended District 3 and graduated from Lexington High School with the class of 1962. They were the first class to graduate out of the new building.

Richard went on to graduate from the University of Nebraska- Kearney with his teaching degree in 1966, later teaching Driver's Ed in Sumner, Nebraska. He then moved to Lincoln where he taught shop for over 25 years. During the summer's while he was in college, he worked with heavy equipment and was part of the building crew for the marina at Johnson Lake.

While in Lincoln, Richard became a Mason, which was part of a family tradition with his uncle and cousin where were also Mason's.

After retirement, Richard enjoyed traveling, making trips to Sturgis and went South several winters. He was also involved with several coffee groups. Richard greatly enjoyed a cold beverage and visiting with his friends.

In addition to his parents, Richard was preceded in death by his two brothers-in-law, Ray Houser and Darrell Evans.

Survivors include his sister, Carolyn Evans (Karl Johnson) of Lexington; nephews, Bill (Judy) Houser of Alvin, Texas; Joe (Rachel Brecks) Houser of Lexington, and Wes (Jen) Houser of Lexington; great nieces and nephews, Dana (Mike) Abramson of Loomis, Rory (Wes) Shuksta of Tucson, Arizona, Patrick (Jessi) Houser of Alvin, Texas, Pete Houser of Lexington, Emily (Oscar Bojorquez) Houser of Kearney, Claire (Todd) McCoullough of Jacksonville, North Carolina, and Haley (Julio) Orantes of Lexington; 4 great-great nephews, as well as extended family and friends.

A Private Family Burial will be taking place.

Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com

Mary Lou Ernst

A Memorial Service for Mary Lou Ernst will be held on Monday, April 12, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Holdrege, Nebraska, with Rev. Dr. W. Kirwin Stewart, Jr. officiating.  A private family interment will be held at the Greenwood Cemetery in Lexington, Nebraska, prior to the memorial service. Visitation will be held on Sunday, April 11, 2021 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege, with the family present.  Face coverings will be required.

Mary Lou Ernst, 77 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on Tuesday, April 6, 2021, at Holdrege Memorial Homes in Holdrege.  Mary Lou was born on December 17, 1943 at Lexington, the youngest of three children, to Dwayne Del Dean “Dutch” or “DD” and Corrinne (Smith) Ernst.  She was born with many challenges that she would continue to experience throughout her life. Mary Lou was one of the first children with disabilities to graduate from Lexington Public Schools in l962. School was difficult for her and when she graduated from high school, college wasn’t an option. Most of her classmates went on to college or moved away from Lexington and she was left pretty much alone.  She recalled this as one of the hardest times in her life.

     Mary Lou stayed at home the year following graduation working with her folks to determine her future.  As they looked into sheltered homes, they visited Bethphage Mission in Axtell, Nebraska. At 19 years of age, she moved to Bethphage where she lived for 12 years.  It became evident quickly that she had found a home away from home.   

     At Bethphage, she started working with small children and later moved into secretarial work for the home.  When Bethphage expanded to community housing in nearby Holdrege, Mary Lou was one of the first to move into community-based housing and began working in retail at the Corner Nugget, a thrift shop run by Bethphage.  Her success fueled her desire for further independence.  She went looking for a place and found an apartment on her own.  She moved into the apartment and also decided to try different jobs, including working for several years in the Holdrege School System in the cafeteria.  She lived in four different places, each allowing for her to walk to the grocery store, shopping, and to work.

     When budget cuts forced the school to cut her position, she returned to the Corner Nugget where she worked afternoons as a cashier and clerk until her retirement in 2016.  In 2017, Mary Lou moved to the Holdrege Memorial Homes where she resided for her remaining life.  She appreciated the care she received there.

     In 2002 Mary Lou began serving on the Bethphage Board of Directors.  She continued that service after Bethphage and Martin Luther Homes united as Mosaic. She was a pioneer, being the first person who had ever received services from the organization to serve on the Board.

     Mary Lou was the recipient of the Bill Sackter Award from the Association of Retarded Citizens/Nebraska given to someone who has demonstrated that an individual with mental disabilities can leave an institution and become an integrated member of the community.  She served as president of the Phelps County Jaycees “Special Chapter for the Handicapped”.

     Mary Lou had a very active life and was a real “people person”.  She was a devout fan of the Holdrege Dusters and loved attending community activities.  The people of Holdrege were her second family and helped her greatly.  They all held a special place in Mary Lou’s heart.  She was an avid traveler which started at a young age with her folks, Dutch and Rene Ernst. They visited Hawaii, Germany, London, and Paris.  She was a big fan of cruises to Hawaii and the Caribbean and enjoyed the excitement of Las Vegas.  Frequently visiting her brothers Bob and Jim and flying were activities she cherished.   

     To say Mary Lou was an avid sports fan would be an understatement! She was passionate about all sports, but especially loved Husker football. She loved to watch the Big Ten Network, followed by ESPN. Mary Lou was always dressed to the nines! She had a flair for coordinating her jewelry to her outfits.

     She was preceded in death by her parents.

     Mary Lou is survived by her two brothers Robert Ernst and his wife, Diane of Estes Park, Colorado and James Ernst of San Antonio Texas; two nieces: Jodie Deeney, her husband Jeremy and sons Adam and Aidan of Vancouver, Washington, Katrina Ernst of Golden, Colorado; three nephews: Todd Ernst, his wife, Stacy and sons Jacob and Josh of San Antonio, Texas, Bruce Ernst, his wife, Jill and sons James and Finn of Reston, Virginia and David Ernst of Mill Creek, Washington; special cousins to Mary Lou: Patricia Bremenkamp of Salina, Kansas, Becky Stuckman of Osborn, Kansas, Steve Smith of Tocca, Georgia, Don, Becky, and Judy Grether of Berkeley, California.

      In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Mary Lou’s honor and kindly suggested to Mosaic of Holdrege.

• Maiden Name: Ernst

Sue Keller

Sue Dell Keller, 82, of Lexington, Nebraska, passed away on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at her home in Lexington.

Sue Dell was born March 10, 1944 to Odessa Stephens Smith in Hot Springs, Arkansas. She met her amazing Dad when her mom met and fell in love with Roy Emil Jensen of Kearney, NE on January 22, 1945. One year later, she became a big sister to Linda Nell Jensen. The family lived in Hot Springs, AR and Kearney, NE before moving to Lexington, NE in 1958. Sue graduated with the Lexington High School Class of 1962.

On June 9, 1962, she married Lonnie Eby of Overton, NE. This union was blessed with two children: Deborah Lynne Eby and Lonnie Michael Eby. They were Sue’s pride and joy! The couple divorced after 20 years of marriage.

In March of 1984, Sue met and fell in love with her soulmate, Kermit Loren Keller at a Parents Without Partners meeting.

Sue was always a very busy lady and belonged to several organizations. She was a T.O.P.S. (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) leader, Area Captain, State Coordinator which meant she chaired State Convention; at church, she taught Sunday School and Bible School and helped with funeral dinners and various groups at church, including Bible Studies; she was the Lexington Area Christian Women’s Connection co-leader, leader, and correspondence chair; she especially enjoyed being involved in the “Movin’ On” Widow’s Support Group.

Her hobbies included crocheting, counted cross-stitch, cake decorating and all crafts. Her “happy place” was Party Planning. Sue prided herself by complimenting people and doing things for them. If they found out “who did it,” she said it didn’t count!
Sue remembers attending church in Arkansas with her Gramma Stephens and then in Lexington with her Mom and sister, so after she married, she kept the tradition. She was baptized at Johnson Lake at 14 years old. Through life she continued her Christian life, but it took God helping her survive the loss of Kermit for her to deepen her faith.

Survivors include her daughter, Deborah Lynne Eby Kosmicki of Nashville, TN; son, Lonnie Michael “Mike” Eby and wife Lisa of Lake Havasu, AZ; grandchildren: Lindsey Thompson and husband Pete of Kearney, Andrew Eby and wife Nikita of Greeley, CO, Jacque Miranda and husband Alex of Denver, CO; great-grandchildren: Emmy, Everly and Brayden Eby and Aubrey Miranda; bonus great-grandsons: Mason and Easton Thompson (and one new great); and three angel babies. Step-children: Wayne Keller and wife Kris of Gibbon NE, Gordon Keller and wife Dee of Dawson NE, Becky Zimmerman and husband Kenny of Gibbon NE, and Ginger Marx and husband Dave of Lyons, CO; four step-grandchildren and six step-great-grandchildren; a sister, Linda Young and husband Eugene Young of Lexington; two nieces, Barbara Young and husband Bernie of Kearney, Carolyn Kulhanek and husband Corty and nephew Donnie Young and wife Marsha, all of Lexington; along with several Eby nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Sue was preceded in death by her husband, Kermit Keller, father Roy Emil Jensen, mother Odessa Stephens Jensen, grandparents Will and Nettie Stephens and AC and Christina Jensen, mother-in-law Mayme Eby and in-laws Carl and Irene Keller.

Funeral Services will be on Friday, September 4, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at the LexChristian Church in Lexington with Pastor James Morton, officiating. The service will be livestreamed via the LexChristian Church website: lexchristianchurch.com

Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 3, 2026 from 5-7 p.m. at Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington.
Following the meal, Graveside Services will take place at Riverside Cemetery in Gibbon.
Memorials are kindly suggested to the LexChristian Church Youth Program.

• Maiden Name: Jensen